Representatives from Duke Energy visited James A. Cawood Elementary School in Edgewood recently to show students and teachers how recycling an outdated refrigerator or freezer can help save the environment.

Duke Energy also donated a new Energy Star-certified refrigerator to the school to promote energy efficiency.

Students witnessed a “filet-o-fridge” demonstration that revealed the variety of materials that make up a refrigerator. More importantly, it explained how industry repurposes those materials for future use.

The Duke Energy refrigerator recycling program reclaims 95 percent of each refrigerator, preventing harmful toxins from damaging the environment and returning materials such as metal and plastic back into the manufacturing stream.

For students, the filet-o-fridge demonstration taught them about how technology and innovation can save energy, create jobs and conserve natural resources. It also explained how their families can receive a $30 incentive for having an outdated refrigerator or freezer picked up at their homes. Older refrigerators and freezers use as much as three times more electricity to run than newer, more efficient models and cost up to $150 a year in extra energy to operate.

Duke Energy residents can participate in the refrigerator recycling program by calling 1-855-398-6200 or visiting duke-energy.com/recycle.

“Duke Energy is thrilled to have the opportunity to interact with students at James A. Cawood Elementary School to teach them about practical, responsible ways to use resources,” said John Langston, Duke Energy appliance recycling program manager. “Today, these students learned about a form of recycling that goes way beyond cans and bottles and into crucial topics such as using energy wisely.”

Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky’s operations provide electric service to about 830,000 customers in a 3,000-square-mile service area and natural gas service to about 500,000 customers.